And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

Our devotional for today speaks to this issue of peace or war between Israel and Syria. Let me give you some more information about our passage of prophetic truth for today.

There are three pronouns used in these ten verses, "he, his, and him". These pronouns are all referring to the "Antichrist" the Satanically energized world religious and political leader during the seven year time of judgment yet to come called the Tribulation Period. The "King of the North" as defined earlier in Daniel 11, is modern-day Syria. (See my audio series, The Daniel Papers.)

The "King of the South", also defined in Daniel 11:4-7, would be modern-day Egypt. Verse 40in our reading reveals how the alignment of Arab and Islamic nations, led by Russia, will begin to make their way into Israel to destroy the Jewish state. Almost in concert, the two nations, Egypt and Syria, will come "against him", verse 40. Remember the "him" is the Antichrist.

Why would the text say that Syria and Egypt are going to attack the Antichrist? The answer is that before both Arab nations move against Israel, the Antichrist will have "confirmed" a peace agreement between Israel and her enemies, Daniel 9:27. So, to attack Israel is like attacking the Antichrist who has just guaranteed Israel's peace.

Verse 41 tells us that the Antichrist will rush back to Israel, go to the north and destroy Syria, then go south to take care of Egypt, verses 42 and 43. At that time, all of the other nations aligned against Israel will attack, verse 43 and Ezekiel 38.

This scenario described in prophecy seems to be coming near to being played out politically and militarily according to the reports that daily are coming out of the Middle East and the ongoing violence that is happening in both Syria and Egypt and the radical elements that are a part of the "Arab Spring" in these two countries.

However, I must hasten to tell you that this prophetic scenario does not actually begin until after the Rapture of the Christians. The stage is being set, all the actors are in place ready for the end-time drama to be played out. Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Help me, dear Lord, this day to live as if the Rapture could happen in the next moment.